Brandon Smith

Opposing defenses have approached Penn State's offense similarly this year: Overload against the run, force third downs and then apply pressure. Michigan broke the Lions with that strategy last week.

Penn State's counter plan has involved trying deep passes, which produced some success against Kent State, Pitt and Temple. The Lions had eight completions of 30 yards or longer in those games. Against Michigan, Penn State had one — on a 30-yard wheel route to running back Saquon Barkley.

Penn State's receivers combined for five catches for 18 yards last week. The team's best long play was pass...

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THE STORYLINE
Opposing defenses have approached Penn State's offense similarly this year: Overload against the run, force third downs and then apply pressure. Michigan broke the Lions with that strategy last week.
Penn State's counter plan has...

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Before kickoff, Penn State's three starting linebackers knelt in the corner of a Michigan Stadium end zone and prayed.
Manny Bowen, Jake Cooper and Brandon Smith talked of their opportunity against fourth-ranked Michigan, of how they...

STATE COLLEGE — At this point, fans might wonder whether Saquon Barkley ever will play in a Blue-White Game.
The running back from Whitehall High spent Saturday's scrimmage primarily as a cheerleader, which was by design. Unlike other players held out...

The Ravens have placed rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro on injured reserve and have signed defensive tackle Casey Walker to the active roster off of the New England Patriots' practice squad.
Taliaferro suffered a sprained foot against the Miami...